This invention relates to an ore beneficiation process by flotation. In this context, an ore beneficiation system is provided with application of ultrasound to the flotation froth comprising an air-emission ultrasonic transducer positioned above the flotation froth, with the ultrasonic transducer being adapted to emit ultrasonic waves towards the flotation froth. This invention also provides an ore beneficiation process associated with the system described above. Thus, this invention provides a process and system for ore beneficiation with the application of ultrasound to the flotation froth without immersing the ultrasonic transducer into the ore slurry. The current invention can partially remove the liquid film that resides between the air bubbles, thereby enhancing metallurgical recovery rates. Furthermore, it can be employed to effectively counteract the persistence of three-phase froth resulting from flotation, thereby improving the efficiency of processes associated with water and waste management.

This invention relates to an ore beneficiation process by flotation. In this context, an ore beneficiation system is provided with application of ultrasound to the flotation froth comprising an air-emission ultrasonic transducer positioned above the flotation froth, with the ultrasonic transducer being adapted to emit ultrasonic waves towards the flotation froth. This invention also provides an ore beneficiation process associated with the system described above. Thus, this invention provides a process and system for ore beneficiation with the application of ultrasound to the flotation froth without immersing the ultrasonic transducer into the ore slurry. The current invention can partially remove the liquid film that resides between the air bubbles, thereby enhancing metallurgical recovery rates. Furthermore, it can be employed to effectively counteract the persistence of three-phase froth resulting from flotation, thereby improving the efficiency of processes associated with water and waste management.

The present invention provides new techniques related to magnetically controllable and/or steerable froth for use in separation processes of mineral-bearing ore and bitumen. Apparatus is provided featuring a processor configured to contain a fluidic medium having a material-of-interest and also having a surfactant with magnetic properties so as to cause the formation of a froth layer that contains at least some of the material-of-interest and is magnetically responsive; and a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field and provide non-mechanical mixing and steering/driving of the froth layer in the processor. The material-of-interest may be mineral-bearing ore particles or bitumen. The processor includes a flotation tank, a primary separation vessel (PSV), or a pipe, including a tailings pipeline. The pipe has a non-magnetic pipe section, and the magnetic field generator includes a magnetic coil arranged in relation to non-magnetic pipe section to generate the magnetic field and provide the non-mechanical mixing and steering/driving of the froth layer in the pipe.

The present invention provides new techniques related to magnetically controllable and/or steerable froth for use in separation processes of mineral-bearing ore and bitumen. Apparatus is provided featuring a processor configured to contain a fluidic medium having a material-of-interest and also having a surfactant with magnetic properties so as to cause the formation of a froth layer that contains at least some of the material-of-interest and is magnetically responsive; and a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field and provide non-mechanical mixing and steering/driving of the froth layer in the processor. The material-of-interest may be mineral-bearing ore particles or bitumen. The processor includes a flotation tank, a primary separation vessel (PSV), or a pipe, including a tailings pipeline. The pipe has a non-magnetic pipe section, and the magnetic field generator includes a magnetic coil arranged in relation to non-magnetic pipe section to generate the magnetic field and provide the non-mechanical mixing and steering/driving of the froth layer in the pipe.

Methods for purifying one or more value materials are provided. The method can include contacting an aqueous mixture comprising a value material and a contaminant with a dispersant and a depressant to produce a treated mixture. A weight ratio of the dispersant to the depressant can be from about 1:1 to about 30:1. The method can also include recovering a purified product comprising the value material from the treated mixture. The purified product can have a reduced concentration of the contaminant relative to the aqueous slurry.